Biomedical subjects
V Echave
Publications and source records attributed to V Echave.
Concept graphics: a language for medical knowledge.
This paper makes a case for Concept Graphics, a novel form of medical knowledge representation. Concept Graphics are assemblies of icons each of which has a precise meaning. Individual icons are metaphors of the object or process they represent. Concept Graphics are analogs of pathological situations, their symptoms, signs and other relevant components necessary for a diagnosis. We propose three principal areas of application for Concept Graphics: medical education, medical records management and research based on medical records. Our earlier work in medical education showed a clear advantage in using Concept Graphics in parallel with text of equivalent information content, over text alone. A Concept Graphics based intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) is being developed. In the area of medical records management we are developing a system for the rapid identification of relevant records based on rapid visual screening. The Concept Graphics based system can reveal properties common to specific groups of records. As such the graphics are a research tool.
Moxalactam as single-agent prophylaxis in the prevention of wound infection following colon surgery.
A single agent systemic antibiotic (moxalactam) when used prophylactically in patients undergoing colon surgery was associated with a wound infection rate comparable to that achieved by a combination of oral neomycin and intravenous metronidazole. The data obtained demonstrated that the reduced infection rate was not the result of a reduction in the bacterial content of the colon alone but due to the prophylactic agents used for elective colon surgery.
Traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.
From July 1979 to December 1985 we observed 51 patients with traumatic lesions of the descending thoracic aorta. Twenty-nine had acute ruptures, mostly accompanied by multiple injuries, and 27 had to be operated upon immediately. Twenty-two patients (19 males, 3 females) had chronic traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta (more than six weeks after trauma). Mean age at the time of trauma was 24 years. Mean age at time of surgery was 36.5 years. Twelve patients were symptomatic. All were treated surgically. At surgery, complete aortic disruption was found in 15 patients and partial rupture in seven. We did not use aortic shunting of any kind, only aortic cross-clamping. Hypertension was controlled by intravenous drug infusion. The ruptured aortic segment was replaced in all cases by prosthetic Dacron graft. There were no operative deaths. One patient (age 77) died 11 weeks after surgery from multiple organ failure. One case of postoperative paraplegia was observed. This patient recovered almost completely from his neurological deficit.
[Endobronchial metastasis 20 years after resection of hypernephroma].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rectus abdominis hematoma.
Because bleeding into the rectus sheath may give a clinical picture simulating an acute abdomen, it is essential that an accurate diagnosis be made so that an unnecessary laparotomy is not performed. Plain films do not give adequate information and computerized axial tomography is not always available, but ultrasonography, which is noninvasive and is readily available, provides an accurate diagnosis as in the case reported in this paper. A 57-year-old woman had bilateral hematomas of the rectus sheath that did not occur simultaneously. She had a chronic debilitating disease as do the majority of such patients. Long-term cortisone therapy with secondary breakdown of connective tissue was probably the predisposing factor. During a blood transfusion that was needed following operation for osteomyelitis the patient had a severe reaction accompanied by sudden onset of severe abdominal pain on the left side. Ultrasonography confirmed the tentative diagnosis of rectus sheath hematoma. The patient was treated conservatively. The pain subsided within a few days leaving an ecchymosis. Two weeks later she experienced a similar pain on the right side which was also diagnosed by ultrasonography as a rectus sheath hematoma. Again, with conservative treatment the pain subsided leaving discolouration of the skin. The authors stress the value of ultrasonography in diagnosing rectus sheath hematoma and the importance of conservative management.
Intimal hyperplasia as a complication of the use of the polytetrafluoroethylene graft for femoral-popliteal bypass.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Motorcycle accidents: a review of 77 patients treated in a three-month period.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Tension pneumoperitoneum: case report and review of the literature.
Tension pneumoperitoneum in an 81-year-old man resulted from the perforation of an ulcer on the posterior aspect of the first stage of the duodenum into the lesser sac. This condition, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the massively distended abdomen. A number of different causes of this condition have been reported, most of which are associated with various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Treatment is early laparotomy.
Volvulus of the gallbladder: case report and review of the literature.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Experience with elemental diet in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Is this primary therapy?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Use of an elemental diet in the treatment of complicated pancreatitis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Elemental diet in the treatment of fistulas of the alimentary tract.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Use of elemental diet during the adaptive stage of short gut syndrome.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.